Finance
Odisha made a major step towards in expanding its technology and digital infrastructure on Friday by signing two critical Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with global IT giant HCLTech and homegrown artificial intelligence firm SarvamAI. The agreements, inked at Lok Seva Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, are projected to attract investments of over ₹15,000 crore over the next five years and produce thousands of jobs.
Majhi described the agreements as the start of a “new revolution” in Odisha’s industrial and technology environment, claiming they will accelerate technology-led economic growth while providing high-value jobs for the state’s talented workforce.
As part of the collaboration, HCLTech will establish a Global Delivery Centre in Odisha with an investment of around ₹730 crore. The facility is expected to create more than 6,000 direct jobs and strengthen the state’s information technology ecosystem.
The agreements also call for the creation of an AI-optimized Data Centre through a collaboration between HCLTech and Sarvam AI. The Odisha government plans to build a Sovereign AI Park to house the data centre, with the goal of strengthening the state’s indigenous artificial intelligence skills and digital infrastructure.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of the effort, saying the initiatives were consistent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India agenda and highlighted Odisha’s rising position in developing technological areas. He stated that the state was expanding beyond its conventional mineral-based economy by fostering businesses like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, information technology, medicines, and textiles.
Majhi stated that Sarvam AI had created AI platforms and applications in Odia, as well as other major Indian languages. The projected AI Park and Data Centre would provide AI services in Odia and other Indian languages, aiding industries such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and defense.
The Chief Minister emphasized Odisha’s industrial growth, adding that the state has received investment proposals worth over ₹20 lakh crore in the past two years, authorized projects worth more than ₹10 lakh crore, and grounded investments over ₹3 lakh crore. He stated that Odisha had won a spot among the top five states in the NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026 and intended to reach the top three.
He noted that measures such as the state’s industrial strategy, single-window clearance process, and land bank system have considerably reduced the period between signing investment agreements and project completion. Majhi assured investors of continuing government assistance and welcomed firms to invest in Odisha, claiming that the state was fully prepared to host large-scale projects.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Mukesh Mahaling hailed the deals as a watershed moment for Odisha’s digital economy, claiming they will strengthen the state’s standing in the electronics and IT sectors. He also mentioned Odisha’s growing importance in the semiconductor industry and its success in luring investors.
HCL Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra said the company was committed to expanding its presence in Odisha and appreciated the support extended by the state government. She said Odisha’s recent AI Summit had demonstrated the state’s readiness to emerge as a leading destination for artificial intelligence and announced the company’s plans to establish a dedicated AI Park in the state.
Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Deb, HCLTech CEO and Managing Director C. Vijayakumar, Sarvam AI CEO Pratyush Kumar, leaders from industry, academia, and senior state government officials attended the MoU signing ceremony.
